Assessment and outcomes of HealthPartners 10,000 Steps program in an academic work site

The authors examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential for physical activity behavior change of a 21-week, 10,000 Steps program in an academic work site. In a pre-post, noncontrolled study design, participants were supplied a pedometer, online resource, and health promotional activities. Means, medians, ranges, and frequencies of self-reported average daily steps (ADS) described physical activity behavior change. An online exit survey assessed the acceptability of the intervention. Of 1,322 eligible participants, 619 (47%) registered; 74% of participants tracked step counts at least once, and 57 (9%) tracked them all 21 weeks. The proportion of cohort participants with < 7,499 ADS tracking all 21 weeks was significantly less than that same cohort tracking only at baseline (p < .02). Survey results showed that 85% of the participants reported general satisfaction with content and navigation of the program Web site. Results suggest elements of feasibility and acceptability but limited potential for physical activity behavior change. Future studies should assess pre-enrollment ADS and barriers to retaining participants.